Israel also bans Spanish Youth Minister Sierra Rago from entering the country over Gaza genocide
Israel has banned two senior Spanish officials, Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Diaz and Minister of Youth and Children Sierra Rago, from entering the country.
According to the International News Agency, Israel’s move came after these Spanish ministers declared Israeli actions in Gaza a genocide and called for international sanctions against Israel.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said in his statement that full diplomatic and personal sanctions have been imposed on the Spanish deputy prime minister and the youth minister.
He added that the two, who are subject to the ban, will not be able to visit Israel and the Israeli government will not maintain any relations with them.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar accused the two Spanish ministers of making irresponsible and provocative statements against Israel, including calling the Gaza war a genocide and Israel a genocidal state.
He added that consultations are underway with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for such sanctions on foreign officials.
It should be recalled that Spain’s ninth Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz had described Israeli operations in Gaza and Lebanon as inhumane and called for international sanctions and an end to arms supplies to Israel.
Similarly, Spain’s Youth Minister Sierra Rago also called Israel a “genocidal state” and urged the European Union to sever all ties with Israel and impose sanctions.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced nine new measures to prevent genocide in Gaza, including a permanent ban on arms exports to Israel.
It should be noted that over the past few months, Israel has banned the entry of officials and activists from all Western countries who express solidarity with the Palestinian people or criticize Israeli military operations.
According to the United Nations and human rights organizations, more than 64,000 Palestinians have been martyred in Israeli bombings and ground operations since October 2023, while Gaza is completely devastated.
In November last year, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
At the same time, Israel is also facing a case of alleged genocide in Palestine at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
